Trinity's backing Bristol's bid to become the next UK City of Culture - a title that celebrates creativity, community, and the power of culture to transform lives.

“Bristol looks like a richly creative city from the outside, but too many artists are forced to leave because they can’t afford to live or build a sustainable career here. UK City of Culture could be a once-in-a-generation chance to carefully develop the whole ecosystem from affordable studios and skills to commissions and progression so talent can stay, grow and thrive, and help forge a new generation of artists in the city.” Paula Orrell, Trustee

In 2024 Bristol's Green Party set out how Bristol prides itself on being a diverse, creative and green city and their commitment to lead a Bristol regional bid to become the UK’s city of culture. Following a committee meeting today, 20 Jan 2026, Bristol's councillors voted to honour that comitment and take forward a bid for the city to become the next UK City of Culture, 2029.

Bristol City Council's Culture Team will submit an Expression of Interest to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, marking the beginning of a journey that could see Bristol shortlisted for one of the country’s most prestigious cultural honours.

Winning the title could bring significant opportunities for Bristol for years to come, attracting visitors, creating jobs, and strengthening the city’s cultural infrastructure. Most importantly, we are backing this bid because of its potential to ensure culture is accessible to everyone, everywhere in Bristol.

National evidence shows how creative engagement is a vital pillar for a happier, healthier life. Trinity's team, and Board are excited by the possibility of bringing that sense of joy to the heart of the city.

Developing the Expression of Interest was the result of a sector-led collaboration of local culture leaders and organisations, in response to the Citizens for Culture Delivery Plan produced by a citizens' assembly, published 15 January 2026. In line with Bristol's Co-Production Policy and the ongoing work of Citizens for Culture, if the city is invited to submit a full bid, a grant of £60,000 will be available so any future application will be developed in partnership with residents, artists, community groups, businesses and cultural organisations.

The film below is just a flavour of what Bristol could bring to a UK City of Culture year and we are excited to be part of shaping the journey together towards a creative and joyous 2029.

You can show your support by backing Bristol's bid using the images, above, and hashtags, below.

#ChargedbyCreativity #UKCityofCulture

Radix Big Tent Festival of Ideas, 2022

Exicited? Click here to read an opinion piece by our CEO, Emma

Supported by Trinity, the meetups have been inspired following feedback from online workshops, delivered by Rider Shafique and Khali Ackford, as part of Trinity's community arts project What I Want To See, What I Want To Be.

Walk-ins welcome. Meetups are on every fourth Monday of the month.

Opportunity: Development Consultant – Jacobs Wells Baths

Trinity Community Arts is seeking an experienced Development Consultant to support our National Lottery Heritage Fund Stage 2 application for the restoration of the Grade II–listed Jacobs Wells Baths.

This fixed-fee role (£9k, Feb–June 2026) will lead on finalising the Business Operating Plan and 5-year budget, using learning from pilot activity to evidence a sustainable future for this landmark community arts and heritage space.

The consultant will work with the CEO and Trinity Events Team and other project professionals including the capital team to provide “proof of concept” for how the space will work in the future. This is needed to inform key documentation (already drafted) that is required to submit our National Lottery Heritage Fund S2 Delivery Application (deadline 26 May).

Key programme dates

👉 Read the full brief and apply by 31 January 2026, 9am

To top it off, their newly released magazine 'Anecdotes', created by over 30 youth creatives, will be available to purchase on the night, bringing the same spirit of collaboration and creativity from the stage to the page.

Doors: 20:00

Last entry: 22:00

Curfew: 00:00

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot and/or arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry: 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Powerful and provocative, Mandala's new play exposes the lies societies have been fed by organised religion and politics, exploring who controls the narrative and what truth got buried along the way.

Through their unique brand of theatricality, humour, innovative staging, compelling characters and powerful epic storytelling, Mandala tell the story of Eve....Accused, suppressed, abused, silenced, but now rising, waking up to her full power as creator, nurturer, wisdom-keeper - restoring the balance between Masculine and Feminine energy, to ultimately suggest new vision and hope.

About Mandala Theatre Company
Mandala Theatre Company is an ethnically diverse-led company based in East Oxford. They are committed to using theatre as a force for social change and to working with young people and artists from the global majority and disadvantaged backgrounds. This play has been developed with young people, student groups and women's groups in Oxford, Luton, Salford and Bristol, in line with Mandala's trademark dedication to co-creation with those with lived experience, and telling the stories that so often go untold.

Length: 1 hour 15 show + 30 min Q&A panel

Joining them will be the UK steppas legend's Zion Train. Perch and Cara, bringing their energy and Love to welcome you.

Zion Train bring a musical message upholding freedom, equality, truths and rights. Heavyweight Bass, Digital Steppas, Love and Good Vibes. Check out their new tunes.

Plus, all the way from LA. 6 BLOCC. The OG Badboy Jungle Producer exclusively in the UK for Morefire Soundsystem. Ragga Jungle, Dubstep, Bootlegs, it's all in his pocket.

Followed up nicely by none other than the legend: Ray Keith (Dread Recordings). Ray Keith is going to rinse the Jungle anthems the heaviest amens and darkest basslines from Dread Records in a 2hr set.

On mic duties. The One and Only Joe Peng.  Joe's been holding things down since the 90's. From now to yesteryear, one of the best Mc's ever.

RAIDERS 32, the St Paul's veteran sound, will be touching down with Morefire Sound plus doing their classic rub a dub and dancehall set.

La'k Flute and Ilodica will be free styling their Melodica and flutes with the rest of the Morefire crew. Dancehall, Rub a Dub and Jungle Classics. Warming up the vibes and warming up the sound.

Outernational Jungle Love . Baby . One Love.

Please note this is a standing event. For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Kick off with a warm-up before you prance ecstatically and unguided for 60 minutes. Bring your most flamboyant moves, or just finger-dance in a corner - all are welcome.

Keep the event alive by supporting with a fiver in cash or card at the donation station. You won’t be turned away if you're in a financial pickle, but please donate if you can.

Newcomers are welcome! It’s okay to feel nervous, especially if you come alone. Dancing freely around others is a courageous act. Yet we come together to overcome our fears. If it helps, a bunch of bobbling humans is meant to look hilarious and not #InstaCool. You’re welcome to stay for snacks and chatter at the end.

Please bring earplugs if you are sensitive to loud music.

Dress code: wear whatever you like but fancy dress is encouraged.

Ecstatic Prance will run on the following (additional dates released throughout the year)

• Tue 13 Jan, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Tue 27 Jan, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Tue 10 Feb, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Thu 26th Feb, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Tue 10th Mar, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Tue 24th Mar, 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Expect the usual great tunes, great company and a chance to see all your friends or make lots of new ones. Some of our members come for a while – some stay the whole night.

Music will come from DJs (Will, David, A-J) who are here to get you on the dance floor. You can let one of the Misfits Team on the day if you have a special music request. There is plenty of space to sit back and watch if you prefer and the bar will be open all evening (18+, ID required for buying drinks).

There is some parking on site, you just need to pay at the car park machine or via the Ringo app for how many hours you stay. If the car park is full, you can also park on nearby street parking.

We can’t wait to see you there.

The Misfit’s Guide to a Good Night Out

Travel Safely:

• Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to be back.

• If you need help booking a taxi let one of the Misfits Staff know.

Know your limits:

• We all love dancing at Rhythm of The Night but it is also good to take a break when you need to.

• Keep yourself safe by not drinking more than you can manage.

Enjoy yourself and allow others to enjoy themselves too:

• We all have the right to have a good time. If you don’t feel comfortable because of someone else’s actions let the Misfits Team or Venue Staff know and we can help.

• Keep an eye out on other people you are with. If we all look out for each other, we can all have a good time.

• Respect each other's space and give each other room.

Back by popular demand is the mighty Ital Power bringing their deep spiritual vibration. They will be meeting Freedom Masses, the original dub advertisers from Manchester who will be making their debut at TID.

This promises to be a rootical session full of unreleased dubs and up fulvibes. Big up to everyone already onboard, the 100 Bun the Cost of Living tickets flew out and they're now onto the First Release tier. Grab yours and join them for this massive sound meeting on Friday 30th January.

Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Please note this is a standing event, accessible seating is available. To reserve a limited seating spot contact Trinity, but to arrange a companion ticket, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

- Carbon based Lifeforms

- Banco de Gaia

- DJ Paulina

- Aliji

- Lurk

Carbon Based Lifeforms (CBL) are Johannes Hedberg and Daniel Vadestrid based in Goteborg, Sweden. Their music has been extraordinarily well received by connoisseurs within the ambient scene and well beyond. They are in a top 30 chart of the best Psybient albums of all time.

Please note this is a standing event. For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.

Joash (Joash Oswe) is a Bristol-based Kenyan-Italian R&B/Afro-R&B artist, blending Afro-inspired sounds, smooth R&B, and hip-hop influences. His music is strongly shaped by his visual art, which remains a central theme across his work.

On Sunday 14 December, Festus Market brought the festive spirit to life with a joyful all-day celebration of African Caribbean and Black British culture. Running from 12:00 - 5:00 PM, the market welcomed visitors to browse, create, connect, and soak up the vibes, no ticket required, just good energy.

From handcrafted jewellery and clothing to homemade cosmetics and stationery, stall holders offered a brilliant range of thoughtful festive gifts. Families got stuck into craft-making activities, while the free badge-making workshop added an extra sparkle to the day. Up to 250 people came through our doors throughout the day. With delicious curry goat and chickpea plantain curry on offer, story sharing warmed the room, and a carefully curated soundtrack kept spirits high throughout.

The event was hosted by the iconic duo Dr Edson (aka Mr Festus himself) and DJ Bandyt, whose humour and impeccable musical taste tied the whole day together. Stall holders were invited to the mic to share their stories and showcase their work, creating a powerful sense of connection and visibility for local makers.

We also welcomed first-time stallholders, including Roy, who showcased and sold his work with the support of his family.

A raffle raised funds in support of Jamaica Hurricane Relief, with generous prize donations from traders and supporters.

“It was just a wonderful and heartwarming day,” said Parys Gardener, artist and stall holder. “It was lovely to share festive cultural traditions and bring a community of local makers together. Festus is for everyone and I can’t wait till next year!”

Reflecting on the day, Dr Edson Burton shared: “Fortune shone on Festus as the rain held off and the sun came out. Inside Trinity Centre, the tropical vibes were strong with stalls, music, activities, and an inspiring intergenerational mix of traders and visitors. Big up everyone who made it special. Till next year.”

And with that, Festus signs off, already counting down to the next one.

Why give blood?
The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.

Why do the NHS need you to give blood?
The NHS need new blood donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.

The NHS need:

• 4,300 blood donations every day on average to meet the needs of our hospitals
• over 140,000 people to donate blood for the first time this year
• 12,000 new Black heritage donors, to meet the growing demand for ethnically matched blood for sickle cell patients who need regular transfusions to stay alive
• more young people aged 17-35 to donate, to ensure we have enough blood for the future

You can sign up to be a donor if you:

• Are able to attend appointments in England
• Pass the eligibility check on the sign up page

Why give blood?
The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.

Why do the NHS need you to give blood?
The NHS need new blood donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.

The NHS need:

• 4,300 blood donations every day on average to meet the needs of our hospitals
• over 140,000 people to donate blood for the first time this year
• 12,000 new Black heritage donors, to meet the growing demand for ethnically matched blood for sickle cell patients who need regular transfusions to stay alive
• more young people aged 17-35 to donate, to ensure we have enough blood for the future

You can sign up to be a donor if you:

• Are able to attend appointments in England
• Pass the eligibility check on the sign up page

Hailing from London, Gray has rapidly established himself as one of the most exciting and innovative producers and DJs in the genre.

A key member of the Born on Road collective, Gray burst onto the scene with his breakout track Rubadub in 2019. The track became an instant anthem, gaining widespread recognition and solidifying his place in the drum and bass community. Known for his ability to merge infectious basslines, crisp drum patterns, and catchy vocal samples, Gray has consistently delivered standout releases.

Please note this is a standing event. For accessibility requests, please contact info@trinitybristol.org.uk

Last entry 2 hours before curfew

Venue levy: Trinity has introduced a £1 Restoration Levy on every event ticket sold. This income will be used to create a dedicated fund for critical building works that will protect and maintain the Trinity Centre building and grounds.